Ex-Hollister teacher arrested on child sex charges

Robert William Lincoln, 50, lives in Capitola

Gilroy police launched an investigation into a former Hollister middle school teacher earlier this month and on Monday arrested him on felony sexual molestation charges.

Robert William Lincoln, 50, lives in Capitola and was a teacher at Rancho San Justo Middle School in Hollister from August 2007 to June 2011. He was charged with committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child, and unlawful sex with a minor.

"The suspect and victim met at Rancho San Justo Middle School in the City of Hollister during 2009," Sgt. Pedro Espinoza said.

"Lincoln was the victim's math teacher. Lincoln befriended the victim and her family. Lincoln initiated an inappropriate sexual relationship with the victim in 2011 when the victim was 15 years old," Espinoza said.

Police were tipped off by the victim's mother, who was concerned something was off.

"We received a call from the mother of the victim indicating that she had suspicions that an inappropriate relationship was occurring with Mr. Lincoln and her teenage daughter," said Espinoza. "That's when officers responded to the residence, interviewed some witnesses, interviewed the victim, cooperated the statement with some evidence that was located and requested the assistance of our child abuse investigators."

Investigators also say they found DNA evidence connecting Lincoln to his victim, though would not elaborate as to what that evidence is.

Lincoln has not worked as a full-time teacher for the Hollister School District since 2011. However in March of this year, he returned to substitute teach. His 15 assignments included jobs at his former school along with Marguerite Maze Middle, Gabilan Hills Elementary, Cerra Vista Elementary and Sunnyslope Elementary. Through all of this, the district insists it had no way of knowing Lincoln was or would become an accused child predator.

"All of our teachers are clearly and thoroughly vetted before they are allowed contact with the students," said Hollister School District Superintendent Gary McIntire.

The girl is now 17 years old and lives in Gilroy.

Gilroy police detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Lincoln and on Monday at 11 a.m., he surrendered at the Gilroy Police Department. He was freed after posting $200,000 bail.

Lincoln never worked for the Gilroy School District, but Gilroy police investigated the case because some of the alleged child sex abuse happened in Gilroy.

Lincoln was laid off from his teaching job at Rancho San Justo Middle School as part of district-wide budget cuts and layoffs, McIntire said.

The investigation is ongoing and the public is urged to report any misconduct that may have gone unreported involving Lincoln.

PHOTOS: Local educators and coaches charged with child sex crimes

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Several educators and coaches on the Central Coast were charged with child sex abuse crimes in the past two years.